A new race is coming to the cycling circuit and will start in Colorado. The USA Pro Challenge announced today it will be opening a new competition for female racers starting this summer. The Women’s USA Pro Challenge will take place August 21st to the 23rd. The three day event starts in Breckenridge and will hit Fort Collins before wrapping up in Golden on August 23rd. This is the first time in the history of the USA Pro Challenge that parts of the men’s course will be open to women and competitors will race for the same prize money.

The Town of Snowmass Village is taking public comment on its effort to fill a fifth town council seat. Voters last month elected Markey Butler as Snowmass Village mayor, so the council seat she previously held became available. On Monday, town council members interviewed eight citizens interested in filling the seat. Now it’s up to the community to narrow the pool before the council votes for a candidate on December 8th. Butler said in a statement the council is calling on the community to help identify which candidate is a good fit on council and a good representative for the community. The interviews with the eight candidates can be seen online at tosv.com. Feedback must be submitted to the town via email before Monday’s meeting.

Bad Flu Circulating in Colorado

Colorado’s health department is warning the flu season could be especially bad this winter. That’s because a certain strain has been showing up more often. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Employment says influenza A is more likely to send someone to the hospital and it’s been the culprit for most cases this year.

There’s been a bump in people getting sick from the strain at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In other years, Influenza A has caused more hospitalizations and deaths.

The Health Department is recommending signing up the flu vaccine to best avoid it, although officials also admit about half of the flu viruses showing up are not in this winter’s flu shot.

Aspen will be included in the USA Pro Challenge once again.The route for the 2015 cycling race was announced live on Denver’s 9news this morning. The race starts on August 17th in Steamboat Springs and moves through Arapahoe Basin and Copper before it arrives in Aspen. From Aspen, the cyclists head to Breckenridge.

Aspen has hosted the race several times. In August of this year, it started in Aspen/Snowmass.

The USA Pro Challenge will return to the area this August, only this time it’ll cover more ground in the Roaring Fork Valley. The race will spend the first day in Aspen and Snowmass Village. The second day, riders head down valley through Basalt and Carbondale, then cycle over an unpaved pass to Crested Butte. Like in previous years, the route has prompted debate among local officials about which roads are best. So far at least one official is in favor of the proposed itinerary.

FULL DISCLAIMER:I live near Wagner Park in the center of Aspen. I love Wagner Park. My dog and I have played ball in Wagner Park almost every day for 11 years. I believe that open spaces should be cherished and protected. I want to save Wagner Park.

I have lost complete confidence in our elected officials and the City of Aspen to make well informed and reasonable decisions, especially concerning Wagner Park. They always seem to sell out to the highest bidder. My Mom & Dad taught me to stick-up for myself, but warned me not to be a complainer. Every once in a while those two traits come to loggerheads. I don't want to sound like a complainer....but here's my take.

The government shutdown trudges on but Pitkin County is working to alleviate the pain by increasing access to a local attraction on federal land.

A proposal for funding public education has been called historic by Colorado’s governor. But, the ballot measure could stretch wallets.

The Aspen Skiing Company hopes to catch the eye of up and coming skiers from certain Asian countries.

And, changes may be in store if the USA Pro Challenge bike race returns to the upper Roaring Fork Valley next year. We talk with an economist who says big sporting events may not mean more money for the towns hosting them.

Finally, we get an update on local athletes training for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia.

Planning for next year’s USA Pro Challenge bike race in Aspen is already underway. Despite some complaints this year because of road closures it appears the bike race has the support of local government officials and will become a yearly event. This despite a lack of evidence showing any economic gains for the upper valley. Aspen Public Radio's Roger Adams explains:

Steve Skadron is Aspen’s Mayor . This week Aspen Public Radio asked him what the was the economic boost from hosting the USA Pro Challenge bicycle race.

The USA Pro Challenge finished just over a month ago, and planning for next year’s edition has already begun. Aspen plans to apply to host the race again in 2014... and officials have started looking at whether to improve on how things went during the 2013 edition of the race. Discussions range from road closures to conversations with international cycling officials in Europe.